Afro, that's an interesting sociology theory about the popularity of zombies, I never really thought past a person's need to be shocked. I, also, don't like the blood and gore aspect, what hooked me on this series, believe it or not, was that it reminded me of Blake's 7. I enjoy seeing how circumstances can take a person down a road they wouldn't normally have traveled and then wonder if I would go the same way. Watching Rick's bunch metamorph into hardened killers is just like what happened to the B7 crew.

Btw, I think Jarvik might actually prefer The Walking Dead world, I get the feeling he would be more comfortable with a sword or battle axe than a blaster._________________"Women, food, and inflicting pain -- in no particular order."
- The Fifth Legion

I can picture Jarvik with a more traditional weapon as you say. I can picture him also having much more respect for the Zombies in a 'Hey, they can't help it' kind of way. Sort of like how he is the one who shows respect for Brian the Spider rather than fear. Even though Jarvik is somewhat lofty or dismissive in his attitude to the spiders and "their little cobwebs", he respects their place on the land and seems to just want to stay out of their way.

Interesting that you make a comparison between the Walking Dead and B7, thunda because I've thought the same. Have you drawn up a character comparison? Hows this:

***Spoiler Alert*** The Following comparison often lists two characters to one B7 character. This does not refer to any characters leaving the show, but rather reflects the transformation of characters rising to meet their B7 role as the show progresses. ***

Great minds tend to think alike, Afro!
My list is slightly different from yours so I added a slight reason for each one. Let me also point out that besides becoming hardened both groups turned into a family unit. Here we go:

It's funny that you put T-Dog as Gan, cos I had considered it. Big Guy, doesn't really get to do that much, carrying injuries that slowed him and the others down. The real clincher is that T-Dog goes down fighting a wall ... of Zombies. _________________As I was saying, we all have to learn to live with disappointment

Didn't realize it until I saw David Morrissey (The Governor) on Talking Dead, but he's also British, born in Liverpool. Kerry Condon, an Irish actress, makes an appearance in the first episode of season 4 playing an Irish tourist stranded in the USA when the ZA started._________________"Women, food, and inflicting pain -- in no particular order."
- The Fifth Legion

Season 4 started and they're at the mid-season series finale, and yes I realize how strange that sounds but that's what they call it. The stories shift more to a survivalist tone with other threats besides the zombies and lots of subplots thrown in. More action, better special effects, and more creative ways to have the walkers attack._________________"Women, food, and inflicting pain -- in no particular order."
- The Fifth Legion

Well, they're into the second half of season 4 and it's going in a completely different direction. The stories are also devoting alot of time with character back-story which could have been done in a single episode. On the bright side, without giving away any spoilers; zombies + fog = coolness. _________________"Women, food, and inflicting pain -- in no particular order."
- The Fifth Legion

Well, finished watching season 4 and as usual the last episode was good but it feels like in the second half they kind of coasted until the season finale._________________"Women, food, and inflicting pain -- in no particular order."
- The Fifth Legion

Just finished watching the first episode of season 5 and all I can say is 'wow.' I think the directors said enough with the back-stories and character development, let's have some action. If you're a fan of Carol you'll love it. She went from a season 1 battered wife to a season 5 lady Rambo! _________________"Women, food, and inflicting pain -- in no particular order."
- The Fifth Legion

Emm, dunno what to make of the 5th series! It seems to just plod along with the rest of the other zombies! It seems to have lost its way somewhat! The loss of the Governor is felt, with no real replacement to challenge the team other than the walking dead. We get to learn more of Abraham & Eugene, alas, the latter doesnt say or do much after a certain ....."incident"! Almost as if the writers have either forgotten about him or dont know what else to write about him

Hopefully, the 2nd half of the series [next year] will improve, or at least plod at a pace & direction that we are use to seeing _________________Wisdom must be gathered, it can not be given

Just finished episode 2 of season 5 and although it didn’t move as fast as the first ep, because this was a reacquainted story, but I still enjoyed it. The ending caught me completely by surprise. It appears they’re going to use more storylines from the graphic novels which may present a problem being that the magazines only have about six main characters while the series now has about twelve. Kind of like writing a Blake’s 7/Star Trek crossover while still giving all the actors/actresses and guest stars enough lines. Speaking of B7 it’s amazing how The Walking Dead can take one dimensional characters and have them all evolve to the point that they’re exciting while Blake’s 7 only did it with one.

Also, what’s cooler than Walkers in fog? Walkers in water.

It's like she was coming after me. _________________"Women, food, and inflicting pain -- in no particular order."
- The Fifth Legion

Just saw episode 3. It probably could have been combined with episode 2 the way it seemed stretched out. They changed it slightly from the graphic novel storyline which is good because it allows magazine fans to be surprised.

[slight spoilers below]

"No point in begging, right?"
"No."
"Still, you could have killed us when you came in, there had to be a reason for that."
"We didnt want to waste the bullets."

The magazine doesn't actually show the killing, only the bloodied weapons and the minister crying. _________________"Women, food, and inflicting pain -- in no particular order."
- The Fifth Legion